PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-586
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 586
SEPTEMBER 2001
MLRS Carrier . . .
Dear Editor,
After every operation, MLRS crewmen are supposed to use a ruler to check
track tension. The distance between the bottom of the track and the top of
the rear support roller should be about 1/4 inch.
Unfortunately, rulers are easy to lose and hard to come by in the field. Even
if you have one, lining the ruler up for a proper measurement isn’t easy.
A lot of crewmen end up guessing at the measurement or don’t measure at
all. Because of that, track wears out faster and there’s always a danger of
throwing a track.
We designed a tool that does the same job as the ruler. Because it’s so
small, you can slip the tool on your key ring and have it handy whenever it’s
time to check track tension.
Make the tool out of 1/4-in aluminum plate following these dimensions:
Place the flat top of
the tool against the
bottom of the track.
Slide the tool forward
until the angled bot-
tom side of the tool
touches the top of the
rear support roller. If the
measurement falls between
the two scribed lines on the
tool, track tension is OK.
If the tool won’t go in as far as the 1/4-in scribe mark, the
track is too loose. If it goes in past the 3/8-in scribe mark,
the track is too tight. Adjust the tension as necessary.
SSG Les Kolden
2/147th FA
Watertown, SD
SEP 01
14
1.
Use a knife to remove the seal from its groove in the cover.
2.
Clean the groove with dry cleaning solvent, NSN 6850-00-
274-5421, and a rag. Make sure you wear rubber gloves, NSN
8415-00-266-8675, and splash goggles, NSN 4240-00-269-
7912, for protection.
3.
Measure and cut 146
1
∕
2
inches of new seal, NSN 5330-00-
222-2592. The seal is ordered by the foot, so you’ll need 13 feet
for each tank.
4.
Apply adhesive, NSN 8040-00-273- 8717, to one side of the
seal with an acid swabbing brush, NSN 7920-00-514-2417.
5.
Slip the seal into the groove and press it firmly in place.
If the
seal is
loose, cut
or
torn,
replace it
like this…
Wow!
What a
beautiful
day!
Sure!
but after that
rain last night,
my
NBC
Sponson box
is practically
floating in
water!
Hey,
aren’t you
going to
check my
track
tension?
Sorry, I can’t
find a ruler
anywhere!
I’ve got
just the
tool you
need!
Check seal for cuts,
tears and loose spots
M1-Series Tanks . . .
L
ike oil and vinegar, water and a
tank’s NBC sponson box just don’t
mix, mechanics. Water and dirt that
get inside the sponson box leaves
behind rusted bolts, shorted wiring
and an NBC system that won’t protect
the crew when it’s most needed.
A bad seal on the underside of the
sponson box cover is the number one
cause of leaks. Check it closely during
semiannual maintenance.
586. 14-15 (C)
8/6/01
5:48 PM
Page 1
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